What all diseases can air pollution trigger? Experts weigh in

Delhi-NCR is witnessing highest levels of air pollution, with Air Quality Index (AQI) hovering around the 400 mark, it's only natural to think what other diseases can be triggered by such severe levels of air pollution. The government too has issued an advisory where it has requested all those with respiratory, cardiovascular, and other diseases to stay indoors as much as possible. 

People residing in Delhi-NCR have complained of headaches, sneezing, shortness of breath, fatigue, the sensation of eyes burning because of such critical levels of air pollution.

However, there's a whole list of grave diseases that can get triggered by air pollution.

1. Respiratory diseases

• Asthma: Asthma is caused by inflammation and muscle tightening around the airways, which makes it harder to breathe. Air pollution can worsen asthma symptoms and lead to more frequent and severe asthma attacks. If you have asthma, it is also important to have an asthma action plan in place in case of an asthma attack.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): COPD is a lung condition that makes it hard to breathe. It is caused by long-term exposure to harmful particles in the air, such as smoke from cigarettes or factory emissions and can be triggered because of air pollution.
• Bronchitis: During bronchitis, the airways in the lungs, called bronchial tubes, become inflamed and cause coughing, often with mucus production. Air pollution can irritate the bronchial tubes, leading to acute or chronic bronchitis. 

2. Cardiovascular diseases

• Heart diseases: Air pollution is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, heart arrhythmias, and other heart-related problems. Pollutants in the air can trigger changes in heart rate and rhythm, which can lead to arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.
• Stroke: Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to an elevated risk of stroke.
• Air pollution can contribute to elevated blood pressure.
• Ischemic heart disease: Ischemic heart disease refers to heart weakening caused by reduced blood flow to your heart, which is associated with the build-up of calcium or other materials like fat within the coronary artery. Studies have shown that air pollution leads to blockage of arteries.

3. Cancer

• Air pollution can cause lung cancer. 
• Prolonged exposure to certain air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and certain volatile organic compounds, is a known risk factor for lung cancer.
• Lung cancer typically results from factors such as smoking, secondhand smoke exposure in non-smokers, certain airborne toxins, a family history of the disease, or prolonged contact with hazardous ambient air pollutants.

Doctors speak

Dr Sundeep Khandelwal, a physician based in Delhi-NCR, told DailyO that long and short term exposure to pollution can lead to a wide range of cardiopulmonary diseases. He further said, "Fine particulate matter PM 2.5 air pollution is the most important environmental risk factor contributing to global cardiovascular mortality and disability."

Dr Durga Paswan, MBBS, MS NIIMS Greater Noida, told DailyO that in times of such severe levels of air pollution, wearing masks is very important as masks play a crucial role to protect your respiratory system throughout; from nose to lung, from any air pollution inhaled inside through mouth and nose. It is not 100% prevention, but approximately 60%, said Dr Paswan.

• Dr Paswan advised that to protect yourself from harmful health impacts of air pollution, wipe or wash your exposed parts of body so any toxic material in air cannot harm your skin and mucosa or the inside lining of the body.
• She also suggested that if you buy any fruits or vegetables from roadside vendors, then it is essential to wash them properly at home and keep them in water for at least an hour so that all the dirt or radioactive particles get washed out. 
• Dr Durga also urged people to use air purifiers and that kids, elderly or those who have cardiovascular, respiratory or any other chronic diseases should be less exposed to the outer environment because their bodys' immune system is not very strong.
• She further added that "if someone already has a lung or a heart problem then they should take extra precautions, including, keeping anti-allergy medicines with person at all times, nebulizer and inhaler (brochodialator and steroids based) as well."
• The doctor recommended steaming regularly as it will clean all the airways and keep them moist so any toxic particles can't harm lining mucosa.